What in the world are you so worried about?
At those words, I felt as if I had been struck hard on the back of my head.
It’s true that I saved Adelle from the catastrophic monster during the hunting festival.
But it was only because I carelessly ignored the baseless belief that she could have resolved the situation on her own through infinite regression, even without me.
I had overlooked the fact that Adelle was deeply afraid of death. Only after the princess’s question prompted me to reconsider step by step, did I understand the real issue.
It wasn’t that Adelle didn’t trust me.
“Maybe… the lack of trust was on my side?”
Even though I had expressed my wish to build a trusting relationship with her, in reality, I trusted her the least among everyone. I could have justified myself in various ways, like saying that since she was a regressive who could rewind time at any moment, she could have ruined my plans, or that she was such a significant variable that it was impossible not to distrust her.
However, those justifications were meaningless words unworthy of even being spoken aloud.
Wishing for someone’s trust when you yourself don’t trust them—that was obviously my fault.
Perhaps the reason she never asked me directly about the rebellion, even after hearing it from the princess, was due to my own distrust toward Adelle.
“It seems you’ve realized the truth.”
Princess Estelle gave a faint smile.
“Hmph… Something this simple.”
“Even something that looks simple isn’t always easy to understand.”
“Thank you for the advice.”
At my expression of gratitude, the princess appeared slightly surprised, her eyes widening. She frowned as if she hadn’t expected this reaction from me.
“What’s wrong with your expression?”
“Nothing… Just…”
She hesitated for a moment but then continued slowly, “I never thought I’d live to see the day when you, Duke, gave me thanks.”
Her words seemed genuinely heartfelt, and it slightly annoyed me. But I refrained from making any criticism, knowing it would just be a waste of time.
The princess cleared her throat and then asked me, “So, what will you do now?”
“I will approach her directly.”
Satisfied with my answer, the princess nodded her head. It was undeniable that when it came to human relationships, she was far more skilled than I. Having read people’s hearts from a young age, she must have noticed my distrust of Adelle.
Each time this happens, I wonder if it’s possible that she doesn’t read my heart because she actually can—not that if she really could, she wouldn’t have reacted just now to my thoughts.
“Wishing you luck.”
She gave a slight nod and then activated another teleportation magic. A bright white light filled the room and, as it faded, left me in the desolate mansion. Allen greeted me without surprise.
“You returned quickly.”
“Where’s Adelle?”
Before Allen could answer, Adelle herself appeared, pushing open the door. Was it because her name had been called? She looked up at me with a puzzled expression.
“Is something the matter?”
She was dressed more elaborately than usual, wearing an elegant dress which made me hesitate momentarily—her beauty far surpassing my expectations. But I didn’t outwardly reveal my surprise.
“Do you have time today?”
“Yes, though… right now, it’s a bit difficult.”
Adelle lifted the hem of her dress as she replied. It then occurred to me that she had mentioned receiving an invitation from Estelle before. This must be the day of the tea party she’s hosting.
“When you get back, let’s talk. It’s about an important matter concerning our contract.”
After a brief moment of contemplation, Adelle nodded in agreement.
“Alright.”
“Oh, your necklace seems a little askew.”
I approached her as I said this.
The sudden closeness made her flinch momentarily, yet she didn’t push me away, choosing instead to let me adjust it. In that gesture, I could sense her trust in me.
Unlike our first meeting, there were no thorny barriers now. Back then, she always stepped back every time I approached her for anything beyond formal matters.
Perhaps it showed how much her trust in me has deepened.
Pretending to adjust the ruby necklace, I stealthily applied the various spells I had prepared beforehand. A faint vibration reached my ear, and the gemstone shimmered in red as the magic settled.
“It’s done.”
“Thank you. It’s my first tea party, so I’m a little overwhelmed.”
“Not at all. Have a safe trip.”
“Yes.”
She smiled in response and walked away.
Watching her go, I thought once again of the princess’s question earlier. I realized that it was me who didn’t trust her from the beginning. Reflecting on how much I’ve changed since then, it still surprises me. Meanwhile, Adelle’s purity seems to contrast vividly with my evolving nature.
‘Did I used to be like her?’
It’s impossible to say, given how much I’ve changed now.
§
“Haa…”
This place is exhausting.
I am not just physically tired; the mental fatigue is just as overwhelming. Yesterday’s three deaths were already grueling enough, but the social circle, or “whispering criticism competition,” pushes me beyond my limits.
Modern society was something I couldn’t adapt to easily. Even indirect criticisms dressed politely were already challenging.
Seeing the woman who spat on me while I was down turn around and flatter me so easily had my head throbbing violently.
“Haa.. damn it!”
Apparently, I lack the talent for these social gatherings. Some noblewomen seem to derive energy from subtly belittling others, but for me, that’s impossible. I detested gossip in my previous life as well, so this situation only amplifies my disdain.
“The duchess unexpectedly has quite a sharp tongue, I see.”
On hearing a sudden voice from behind, I instinctively turned my head. A man in a dark blue uniform stood there, catching my eye. If my memory served me right, that outfit was reserved for the High Mage.
His silver hair gleamed in the sunlight, and his crimson eyes evoked the color of blood. His face seemed familiar, even though his name escaped me for the moment.
“To the High Mage.”
“No need for such formalities.”
My greeting elicited what seemed to be an awkward scratching of his cheek from the man, as if he didn’t quite know the noble courtesies. From his behavior, I could deduce who he was easily enough.
The High Mage, Rev.
In the original story, he was one of the male leads who had a liking for Estelle. Recalling the preferences of my friend from my past life, he particularly admired Rev among the three male leads for his good looks and brashness.
If she had been here, she would’ve probably been squealing and nudging my arm repeatedly, shouting about how he was her type every day.
“But what brings you here…?”
Women-only gatherings like these were supposed to prohibit male attendees.
The definition of a tea party involved only noblewomen socializing together. So how had he managed to enter?
At my somewhat skeptical question, he answered with a shameless grin.
“I was curious. I wanted to see the notorious protagonist.”
“Is that so?”
Rev seemed to have slightly misunderstood my question’s intent, as he replied thus. Judging by his calm demeanor, perhaps he hadn’t even known that men couldn’t attend these gatherings in the first place.
Given his commoner origins, that wasn’t an impossible assumption.
“Anyway…”
Rev scanned my face and slowly approached, his interest evident. He then began to scrutinize my necklace closely.
I blocked his perusal with my fan, as his scrutiny felt increasingly discomforting.
He, however, seemed completely indifferent to my gesture and remained lost in thought.
“Hmm… It’s impressive. The duke seems to care about you a lot?”
“What do you mean..?”
“Defense magic, detection magic, teleportation magic…”
At that moment, Rev flicked his finger. My necklace emitted a red glow and started to float. Caught unawares, I quickly snatched it before it rose any higher.
“Wow, even curse magic? Isn’t that overprotection?”
Clack.
With another flick of his fingers, the necklace that had levitated earlier dropped back down. Although it was magic, it was rude to tamper with someone’s jewelry without permission.
I frowned and glared at him, prompting him to flail his hands awkwardly in response.
“Oops, sorry. It just felt so amazing. I guess I was being a bit rude?”
“Thank goodness you realize that.”
“Haha.. Hmm”
Attempting to laugh it off, but meeting my stern gaze, Rev turned his eyes away awkwardly. After an awkward silence, Rev sighed and reached into the air.
Hum…
“Will this do?”
He then pulled out a few gold coins. I was tempted to facepalm but restrained myself. Isn’t it a bit much not to know the ways of the nobility, even as the High Mage?
A normal noble would consider his actions an insult, but since I’m an exception, I only found it ridiculous.
“I don’t need the gold. I’ll accept your apology as it is.”
“But…”
“Rev.”
Suddenly, a woman’s voice called out from behind us, icy cold like winter’s snow.
Glancing around, we saw Estelle standing with her arms crossed, glaring severely at Rev.
“What are you doing here?”
Before he could answer, she swiftly grabbed his arm and began to pull him away. Confounded, Rev didn’t manage to respond and was dragged off by Estelle without resistance.
“..That’s what you get for behaving so poorly.”
Indeed, Rev was in the wrong for entering a tea party, somewhere he clearly shouldn’t have been. Not only that, he addressed a young noblewoman so casually, and he even offered gold coins as an apology, which was quite disrespectful.
..Upon further thought, it was fitting that he received such treatment.
‘I guess this is why people use the term “satisfying.”’
For some reason, I felt a sense of relief and gratification.
